A man accused of murder told gardaí he "just lost the head" when his father admitted sexually abusing his sisters, a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Detectives from Kevin Street Garda station were giving evidence on the second day of the murder trial of Mr Gary Waters (31), who denies murdering his father, Mr John Waters (59), at his home in Oliver Bond House, Dublin 8, on December 29th, 2001.
The jury was told by Det Garda Richard Kelly that Mr Waters had been living with his father for about 10 weeks prior to his death. On the night in question, Mr Waters had drunk nine cans of lager and half a bottle of vodka with his father before a row erupted. Det Kelly said Mr Waters's brother had been in court that day seeking access to his children when his ex-girlfriend called his father a "child molester".
The accused had been discussing the case with his father when he asked him "why did he do it", Det Garda Con Cronin told the jury. "He said my brothers did it too. I just wanted to give him a dig to shut him up," Mr Waters reportedly told Det Cronin. "I honestly don't know how many times."
Det Cronin said: "He said the cause of the assault was that his father was talking about abusing his two sisters in a very flippant manner."
He confirmed to defence counsel, Mr Brendan Grehan SC, that Mr Waters said his father told him he "just fondled them, never penetrated them".
"The way his father was talking made him lose his head," said Det Cronin.
Mr Waters stabbed his father 19 times in the head and neck, the court heard.
Mr Waters sat in court with his head in his hands, weeping quietly for most of yesterday's proceedings.
Two of his sisters stood in the witness box yesterday and confirmed to Mr Grehan that their father had sexually abused them as children.
The trial concludes today before Mr Justice O'Higgins and a jury of seven women and five men.